How to Choose A Stand Up Paddle Board

FLATWATER & SMALL WAVE MODELS - Great for First Timers, Family Boards for Easy Cruising and Riding Super Small Surf

The Inflatable Paddle Boards offer a complete portable package at a price anyone can afford. When deflated they pack down into the size of a sleeping bag and inflate in just minutes. If you seek portability, durability and value this is your go to paddle board especially for beginners seeking an economical first time package.

The Versa Paddle Boards are designed for the beginner and offer a full length super soft top deck pad. Also are super wide and stable to accommodate riders of all weights and sizes making them an excellent family board for carrying an extra passengers or paddle board Yoga aficionados.

Our top selling model! The Glider Series offers a wide stable design available in a variety of unique color airbrush options and a woody. It’s a wide stable board to accommodate riders of all sizes. Complete with a 3 piece die cut grooved traction pad. If you want a paddle board that looks great at an affordable price the Glider is an excellent choice.

ALL AROUND MODELS - Great for Flat water & Surfing Small to Medium Size Waves

The Diamond Tail aims to offer up a fishlike wide stable board available in shorter lengths so you get the floatation of a longer board without all the extra length to give it maximum performance in small to mid-range surf. Compete with diamond groove traction pad with kick tail and quad fin set up.

The Classic Paddle Board aims to ride much like a modern performance longboard. A wide stable nose and rounded tail give it maximum performance in the surf but also stable enough for a flat-water cruise. If you want to stand up paddle longboard this is your best choice compete with diamond groove traction pad with kick tail.

TOURING & RACE - Maximum Speed on Flat Water and Open Ocean Conditions

Touring models are an excellent choice for paddlers looking to get more efficiency and speed over traditional surf style shapes. The Touring models feature a slight displacement hull making them break the water and carry more speed over long distance. If you want the features of a race board without the volume and high price tag this is your model.

The race board is the ultimate in speed and efficiency over flat water and open ocean conditions. The large displacement hull and narrow width keep it fast over any conditions. If you are ready to start racing or just want to go faster than everyone around you this is your model.

What Size Board is Right For You?

You want to choose a paddle board that has enough volume (buoyancy) based on your Weight and Experience level to properly float you. We have created a chart of every SUP model we offer and the characteristics, suggested weights and volumes for each board. You cannot be too light for a board so as long as your weight is at or below the suggested weight limit you should be fine. View OurSize & Weight SUP Model Comparison Chart

A Word about Fin Set ups

When your just getting started as long as your paddle board has a fin in it your fine. However there are some common fin setups you should be familiar with.

Single Fin: Many paddle boards will have one large fin directly in the back center of the board near the tail. This large fin which can range anywhere from 8-10" in length helps to track the board on the flatwater or face of the wave while surfing.

2 Plus 1: This is a very common type and usually includes a large single fin 8-10" tall in the center and 2 small side fins 3-4" in tall on the left and right. The side bites help the board track better thru turns while surfing on the face of the wave and help the tail hold the wave face.

Quad Fins: Quad fins are 4 fins total with a large and small fin mounted along the rail on both sides of the tail. Quad fins help the board drive in slow spots due to the lack of drag from a center fin and also help the board grip and track on hollow waves since the fins are situated along the rail line.

Other: Above are just a few of the most common types of fin setups. However there are infinite configuration possibilities.

About the Author - Marc Miller is the founding partner of Isle Surf & SUP an online retailer of paddle boards & surfboards. He has been involved in board manufacturing, product development and website management for Isle since its inception in 2004. He also writes the Isle Surf & SUP Blog. An avid surfer and paddler for the past 2 decades when hes not in the office he can be found on foreign shores searching for waves and fun.